Descent from the Col du Galibier

This is a really lovely beginner’s descent on the old road down from the pass, facing the spectacular Meije. All the landmarks are there for you to admire, including the Glacier de l’Homme, Glacier du Fauteuil, Pic Gaspard and the Doigt de Dieu.

GPX map and layout

Leave one car at Villar-d'Arène and another at the Col du Galibier. The other solution of course is to ride up to the Col du Galibier from Villar-d'Arène. Difficult to resist such an iconic climb!
Add on 13 km of road, 1015 m of ascent and a 6.9% incline from Le Lautaret...

ROUTE
Start off at the Desgranges stone marker and go round a ruined house lower down, behind which the path begins. Cross the road to take the "Chemin du Galibier" on the other side. Ride down the bends of this peaceful path to
the Col du Lautaret road (D1091).
Cross over the road to the track opposite, which leads to the col (2 km).
Once at the col, cross over the road and go past the bar/restaurant "La Ferme" to join up with the GR 50 path. From this point onwards, the route is marked "FFC no.13". The track winds its way through peat bogs in pastureland and after 2.5 km, you arrive back on the Col du Lautaret road (D1091). Cross the road and carry on the path to the hamlet of Le Pied du Col, where you turn right on the road and then after 150 m, right again onto a track that takes you to Villard’Arène.